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March 1st 1857 [or 1859]

My Honorable Brother,

Weekly are we reminded of your kind remembrance of us old

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folks at home, by the arrival of. letters, & 10 or 15 papers or less. It

is so long a time since I last Jrote thee, I hardly know what to say

first. I'll commence by saying Isomething. Charly Hanford was married

to Mary Cavart 4 or 5 weeks agail. Our Cousin Robert was married last

Tuesday to Rebecca Sleson of Broldallin. It is to be hoped that Robert

has suited himself in his choicel of a wife. His friends were all opposed

Ito her. The reason is this, rather more than a year ago she went west on

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a visit, soon after her return she became a Mother, of a boy. Since then

she has been untiring in her devhtion to Bob, and has finally won him. I

expect Robert will remain with Glandfather. Our father has gone up there

Itoday to see about the matter. Abel Bo wants to get there, so we are

Itold. I received a letter from Hat Lockwood (Hanford) the other day. She

inquired very particularly afterlyou & wished to be remembered to thee.

I presume you have heard of the death of Ira Brockette's child, also of

Ilittle Freddy Scott, George Scotts youngest son. Paschal P. Wheeler died

the 23 of January. Charly TaYlot died in New York, the 11th of Feb. Uncle

Ezra Wilson was here this winterl inquired much after you. Mother says you

Imust send him a paper. Alsi(?) ~ Jerome intend going to Rockford Ill. in

April, will make that their homelif they like it there. Is Ly Kenyon

at St. Paul, & is he married? Aunt Rhoda Morehouse has been confined to her

room for two months past, with r~eumatism, is improving slowly. Uncle Azor &

Aunt Han make it their home to uJcle Billie's.- Mother says you are a good

boy for keeping her posted as reJards yourself, and matters in general out West.

I guess it will not be amis for

I •Aunt Jeny desires to be kindly remembered to her ~all newphew Fr~end. We

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have a good girl. She is home (Schnectady) now on a visit. Charly ColneyI

has left us. Our Irish Pat will move out of the tenant house soon. Don't

know who our folks will have th~s SUITmer.

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me to give you a Paddy's advice'l If you are pressen with business affairson the arrival of this letter, be sure you don't read it till you have leisure_

as I'm thinking it will try you) patience some.

A Sister's love is thihe now and forever.

D.F.e. Whitlock

Old Home, May 5/66

My F Brother,

Your pisstle to Poppy & ~fommy came by this day's mail. It is so

long since I scratched any for ylu & you say such pretty sayings about the

Inon-appearance of my letters that I'll make one desperate effort to cheer

you once again. The year past mt Friend & foes (if foe there be) have met with

like treatment, as my old goose ~Uill has lain idle. I like to be in cheerful

mood when writing to loved ones,lbut I'm blamed if that mood ain't a hard one

to find of late years with me it [is everyday & late into the night so I try

to be so very thankful for the comforts I have, but this quiet home & neigh­

borhood & such an eternal samenels is really more than I like of one thing; I

so often think of what you said lhen home nearly 13 years ago. The time you

Istaid 3 weeks. We were either going to, or coming from Foster Hill, when you

with a big sigh pronounced it thl "blankest 3 weeks you had seen in a long

Itime." I was some blue then, but thought that the then coming years would be

bright but of a truth be it said [they have proved to be the darkest. You can

call this complaining or rejoicing, as you darned please. I only wish we had

a pleasant home where' we 'could sJe something alive once a day at least & you

was settled near us. This is thJ only "Air Castle" I allow myself to build, as

I well know they will tumble dOwl. Monday will be my 37 birthday. If you

could be here I would not dread lit so. Lib Beagle was with us a year & a

Ihalf. Left us the last day of March, she is not at Victory Miller. Libbie is

true friend of the family but aJfullY nervous at times. God bless her. We

have a young Yankee gal now, likl her well as far as we have tried her. A.

likes the man he has on the farJ very well. Abel is so fat and rheumatic that

work comes hard for him, such helvy work as he does. I do wish he might have

easier the remainder of his daysl. He has had a long pull & a hard one since he

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came home. If a fortune ever fatls to me, I'll put you all in easy(?) circumstances

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& educate your sprout for pres~dent to ~ext generation. As for myself I

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am not what I was before my sickness. I do some plain sewing, but not

a chore about house. I am so slCk of my pointed nose, if it would only stop

bleeding. Dear Mother is the ybungest looking one in the family & gets along

nicely when she has good help; 1ithout that, she loses balance suddenly

Poppy keeps just about so so.

Confound the writing when I want to talk with you so bad & a long

talk at that. Ira Whitlock hadla cancer taken from his nose last winter.

It had been coming for some years, & he tried to make himself think it a

Ibleeding wart. We seldom see or hear from them, or anybody else. Aunt

Jenny & Maria are living comforJablY in Fondas Bush. Patiently are we waiting

for the picture of F.J.W. jUnioJ & of his Mother, your wife, our daughter &

sister Kate. Grandson & williaJ Henry ~forehouse, sons of Carlton was East

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this spring to see their Uncle William. They live in Iowa. Uncle Billie

Morehouse you know had two daugJters. Frank is big with expectation on some-

thing of that sort.

Monday May 6th -

Last night I unexpectedly received a letter from Cousin Ira and

such a good photo of himself andl eldest child Florence. Now I want you to

know that I know, that these arel two scratchy, cramped looking sheets, such as

they are, you have the privilege[ of making the most of them. Our Mother ever

thinking kindly of thee ,& thy loved ones. As of old I am thine in truth.

D. Whitlock

-2-

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Saturday Night, June 4

My Brother:

If you have

get an answer to your

had any inclination to

Ilast letter why I hope

snart case why you didn't

you had a good time snarling

& now for the reason of my long Idelay. The last day of April our good

Poppy Jerimiah was taken with a Ichill at Galway Village Word was sent

We were so alarmed & feared he

for the Village saying

us that he couldn't come home tnat night.

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had not a fit. Abel started Offl on the double quickif he could not get father home he would hasten back & let us know. Time

hung heavily till he did come & [thought it best for Mother to go down, & you

must know I wouldn't stay behindl, so we went down & spent the night with

Father at Hays Hotel, in the morning stowed us in a close carriage and

came home. Father was confined In his room nearly 3 weeks. It was one of

his billious attacks, he had tool long postponed taking Calamet. He is getting

along finely now. In the meantime I had a slight chill & fever, so they kept

me caged up in my room 10 days. [Dear Mother had her hands full. Libbie

Beagle staid with us much later than usual this spring. Had she not the

good Lord only knows where we wolld fetched up during the sickness. She re-

lieved Mother of all house hold lares & then the house cleaning came on &I

she was at the head of all that dirty job.

We think so much of her & she is

so true to us. She left us lastlMonday for Saratoga. Father went with her.

We are without help now but we need it so much & can't find it. We hire the

washing and such like done. Mot~er can endure but little & she thinks I can't

because Doctor Chambers said so. I If Mother could be relieved from care I'd give

thanks & rejoice a long time, iflnot for ever more. Hat B ~ sent me her

photograph a few days since. Edlwas then in Missouri with waggons. Can't find

sale for them as fast as he can1have them made. Aunt Mary left

May 5th for this state. Last week we had a letter from Uncle Avery Stark­

weather. Also his photograph & IAunt Electas. Uncle is so lame he can't

dress his feet , uses two staveJ as he calls them. He is so anxious for

father & mother to visit them. IMother says if she got as far as there she

would want to keep on to Kenosha and from there to Belle Plaine. When

I people inquire after Friend I say to them that the boy is married & I feeljust as though I was telling on~ big fib all the time.

As soon as you &

Kate have some perfect photographs of yourselves send them home. I want to

breath was cut short March 19th. He was 14 years old. My Cat Gresto was

10 yrs old March 26. That same day she left 6 kittens in the rag barrel.

privy/ built on North End of wood sheds. Merrit B. Allen is reported among the

Mother said one of them must live so I selected as homely a whelp

Sister D.F.G. Whitlock

-2-

I rather think I've said enough, seeing as how it amounts toI

hear from you often. God thee & thy bonny Kate.

in your house.

nothing. Let's

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missing since the 10 days' battle. Many think him dead. I believe the 5 pigs

see how the married children of the family look. How about our Mother'sI

pickter? Don't forget, your promise. I want the best. My Morgan cats

as you ever saw, but we think him mighty smart. We have a new Express Office/or

& other crops are doing well. Ilhope the "vermillion color" will ever prevail

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Saturday Night,June 13/63

My Brother:

To the Devil & all deserving people will I ever give due. You

have really did well & I bless tou for it. Have written home twice since

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I wrote you. Well here we are in tolerable health & that you know is

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kindy well & Kindy not. Our dear old Pop keeps busy all the time & goes

to bed tired about the same timl the other cocks go to their roost. Our

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dear Mommy has had inflamation in her eyes the 3 weeks past. They are much

better now. As to cooking, I nlver did much at it, but it comes natural

to me & as far as I have gone il that line have had the best of luck, so I

tell Mother she only plays sicklfor the sake of my good victuals. Our only

help indoors is a girl of 12 years. We have a woman come to wash and do

Iall big jobs, but 0 Lord don't I wish we had a good old Aunt Dinah. I gettired puttering with small helP) Our brother has had all the heavy farm

work to do this season. His mal Cole knew so little about farming. Last

Thursday he quit & went back tolhis coopers trade. Next week Charlie Chapin's

wife & child are to move in theltenant house. They lived there 4 years ago &

we liked them much & are glad to get them back. Now that the grass is up &I

leaves out our old home looks pleasant, notwithstanding the shattered window

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blinds & rickety yard fence, but I can't begin to tell you how quiet it is in

the old neighborhood. Our old lCqUaintances are all gone & the new ones not

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like us. Givere a congenial spirit & I'll ever be young in feeling. Grace

Whitlock was married May 26th. IHave not heard a word of particulars. Cousin

Hitie thinks he shall get home July 21st. I think much of that boy; he has a

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generous heart, cheerful disposition, but will never make much of a mark in the

world. Robert is with Ira & isla faithful boy. I spect his Haney suits him,

but Helen gets

here to

awfully tired with Nancy's airs. One thing, Uncle Hitie is not

________ over Robert's slcond marriage as he did over the first. I was

There are but few of the old trees left,

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out to Aunt Jennie's last week. \ She & Aunt Marie are the same persons &

condentious critters as when yoJ saw them last. Gomp is a great good naturedI

awkward , but I really think he bids fair for a noble manhood. God

grant it--m-a-y--poseso is my earnjst prayer with a hearty amen at the latter

end of it for I do think a refoJmation is needed among the few that is left

of our tribe. Uncle Jared BrocJet \rrites that his wife is coming east, thisI

season. He sent us a photograpH of Haf's oldest gal. A.S. had a long hard

Ijob getting the corn ground ready east of the garden. Now the darned bugs

Iare destroying the corn & our folks are fearful it will amount to just nothing.

Potatoes are planted in the orchlrd.

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so there is not much shade. Buck wheat in north east corner of lot north of

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orchard. The blamed quack graSS\haS got a strong hold there & A.S. is havinga hard one of it to get it out. Has hired a gleaner, puts the 3

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horses before it & to help him along. Oats are in the Cold Spring lot.

Wheat in the Knoll lot. Carrots bn the same old patch that has been used forI

that purpose for long years. Part of the old apple tree remains that Grand-

Ifather Cheney set out in the garden. All the old plum and cherry trees arecut down. Also apple tree in thl very north east corner of garden. I don't

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know but Father would like to cu~ down all the trees, maples and all perhaps

he would leave a few poles & 2 or 3 branches. It used to get me soI

Now when Poppy says they need trimming I tell him to go

in & make clean work of it. oncJ in while he lops a big branch & don't I

save some. Phillip Seves was heJe today enquired after you. I told him it

would be 9 years this fall since \YOU was home. He said he would take his oath

that he saw you in Schenectady 6 :years this summer & that you said you was on

your way to New York on I .

S!lY tricks on us at that time? I am clean

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taken or did you cause a mighty

The query is this, is Phillip greatly mis-

-2-

talked out for this time & if you should happen to find anything sensible

in said talk, you'll have found what I have failed to on reading the

above delicate chisography. Marian Allen is abolitionist from head to heels.

Reckon she don't miss Merritt enough - to lie awake nights thinking he will

get killed. I didn't say that to be hateful for I like Maria. She was here

last winter & we had a good visit. She spoke kindly of you & the good old

times you use to have at her house. In your two last letters you mention

the loss/death is the worst/ of Hat Bain's boy. Her eldest son Eddie died last

summer of diptheria. She had a son Charlie left & two daughters, Franke &

CArrie. I am writing with glasses on & I just thought that you too had

weak eyes & I am thinking they'll be weaker if you read this con from

end to end. My love is as fresh & pure for thee as when you left me nearly

9 years ago standing by the roadside leaning on our good Uncle Hitie. Your

last visit was a flying one.

"Yours till death",

D.F.G. Whitlock

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October 5th

My Afflicted Brother:

Surely the way of Friend Jay Hhit10ck is a hard one. I have got

so that every letter I get from theee I expect to hear of ill tidings con­

cerning yourself. 0 if you were only home now, that Mother & I could

watch o'er thee, and attend to thy wants it would be a consolation for us.

Are we never to see thee again on Earth? Oh come to us once more, let us

again clasp they hand in ours & imprint warm kisses upon they brow & lips

and tell thee of the pure & deathless love we bear thee, our Son & Brother.

I hope you will receive the letter I wrote you last Sunday this week, also

Mother's and my minitures Father will have his taken for thee ~he first

convenient opportunity. Your letter bearing the sad intelligence of your late

misfortune reached us yesterday. Also a letter from Uncle Jared, informing

us of the death of Harriet's second child, and of Moses S. Scott's oldest

son of Milwaukee. George Brewster is going to let his farm and go to Cali­

fornia with his brother Charles. Uncle Peter Hhit10ck spent the day with us

yesterday, & night, he has given us a full and correct history of our own

Grand Mother Hhit10ck parentage. Much of it was new to Father. He has written

down, and when he feels like it, will copy it off and send it to you. He is

under the sickening inf1ucence of the contents of a pill box today, has hopes

of feeling better tomorrow. Aunt Jenny always bids me send her love to you,

when I write, and deeply sympathizes with and for thee in thy many bodily

afflictions. Here it not for your cheerful disposition me thinks you would have

given up to despair long, long ago. Write often, let us know of your misfortunes

as fast as they come. Our Mother continues quite well for her, and wants to

see her Friendly boy. Mother thinks if she had you with her she could cure

up some of your old complaints. I am tired of scribbling, have written to

Uncle Jared, Uncle Scott, and thee. Here is a good night kiss, for you,

D.F.G. Hhitlock

March 10th, /1&/

My Big Brother,

So you are just about 39 years old today. Well I spect you are

writing to our good Mother as you always do on your birthdays. Mother has

had two letters & lone from you since I last wrote. I am so lazy that I

hardly keep the holes in my stockings darned. Hark thinks of going to her

house tomorrow as her sister Sarah is there. Lib will stay with us some

time yet. She says, "Tell Friend he shall have my min when he

comes home next summer & perhaps she will go home with you." Father, Mother

& Lib have lots of fun talking about Lib's going to Minnesota to keep house

for you. Father says he is drying apples for her.

As a family we are all well. The winter has passed, quietly away

indoors. Have had leaps of snow, high winds, and some freezing cold days.

Uncle IS farm is not sold as yet. Mr. Ames of Schylerville seemed

very anxious for it, was to have been here last week to see about it but

didn't come. If he does not take it, Robert & ______ say they shall work

it. They are both at Uncle Bill Morehouses now. Mother says you must come

home and not go South. You will find it ever so quiet here, but you can

Bite around among the folks, have a polic and then come home rest a few days

& then off again, if you want to. Mrs. Lane of Galway died the 17 of Jan-

uary & Alanson Meads second daughter died the 19 of the same month. Jessie Mann

was married New Year's, to Wm. Make. from Albany Co. He was Mr. Mason's

miller & works for him now. Jessie called here a year ago last summer. I

thought she was an arm full for any man then, if she should get pizened I

recokon one man couldn't hold her no how. Our man Amos has been with us most

of the winter. We all like Amos, but he leaves us next week for Washington Co.

Who or what, we are to have for help this coming summer, the good Lord only

knows. Mother has told me enough to say to Friend to fill 40 sheets like

this. Says you MUS T come home for a LON G visit, of months - not

weeks. The folks about town all O.K. I spect A.S. keeps you posted as

regards political affairs in old Galway. I want you to bring all your

little knick knacks home with you case why I want to see 'em. Our kindest

regards to Mrs. Chatfield. We all love her for her kindness to our Friendly

boy. We shall look for you home this season, so come you must. Bring

all your nice little fixings & I'll be every so good to you.

D.F.

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Home Dec. 16th 1866

"Auld" Fatty

Your last letter written some weeks since came in good time but I

was too stupid to reply. I get so discouraged with my nose & as there is

so little to take my attention in this quiet hole I think too much about

my ailment, but 2 years is a long pull at bleeding for one of my temperament.

Suffer you if your Doctors or some Indian or some one else if they don't

know of a sure cure. I am so tired puttering, & our Doctors have not helped

me as yet. I feel very well otherwise. The rest of the family in usual

health. Aunt Beth Delano & husband are both dead within the year. Ephraim

Ross the Methodist we all like so much died in Nov. 6th.

Libbie Whitlock was married Oct. 25th, to Nathaniel Rogers. He is one of

afirm in a large wholesale grocery store. I hear him highly spoken of. They

are boarding at Congress H at Albany. Hannie wrote she had some elegant

wedding presents, Louise gave her many things beside five hundred dollars. Ham gave

her three hundred & fifty dollars. Cousin Ratie came to us last Tuesday after

an absence of 3 years. He has been in Vermont most of the time at work at the

carpenters trade. He makes good wages but says when the month is up, he is

only even with it. He is kind hearted to a fault. Robert came after him Thursday.

Our porkers were killed Friday, a dirtypb out of the way. Mrs. Orin F. Grinell

is very low with consumption. Some of the pleasant days in the latter part of

Oct. & early part of Nov. Mother, Old Billy hoss & I was on the road, one day

we called at Jared P. Brockettes. Fanny said I might tell you the reason

george did not come to you was, she would not let him go so far from her.

She looks and appeared just as she used to, gives you such a warm welcome,

talks loud & fast, and, thinks a heap of her snuff box. Amelia Brockette is

a real chub of a girl, not so good looking as her mother, very much as it

happened in our family. Of a truth I do think I am looking about as old

and homely as my worst enemy could wish me to. Thanksgiving was a dull

day with us. I made a desperate effort to be thankful for a plain dinner.

I am holding myself in readiness for a quiet time during holidays. I do

so hope it may pose a happy time for yourself and loved ones. One day

Mother hoss & I went out to Uncle Jo Allen's old place. Amelia,her big

boy Seward, & her father live there, it was lonely enough to me. I have

the good fortune to see most perfect pictures of Aunt Patience, Priscilla

& Helem - it almost seemed as if they must speak to me. Cronkhite with 3'

wife & her children are in Iowa. Charlie the son by Priscilla is with him.

Helen the daughter of Helen is with the Grandparents in Greenfield. Uncle

with his 2' wife & first love so we are told - are in Ballstrom. She was

Polly Heart. Another day we called on Carrie Kennedy, she looks just as

good & sweet-as in the long ago. She is mother of 5 boys & one daughter.

They have a pretty home at West Falway. Kennedy has a grocery store there.

I expect Libbie Beagle will be with us soon. It has snowed all the afternoon.

Tonight the ~!ind is playing tag with it. Our fall & winter have been rather

pleasant so far. I reckon the big drifts will come in time. I sometimes

think I would feel as much at home in any other place, as this changed neigh­

borhood. I wish you was settled near us, anyhow till we quarelled out. If

you are dro~with work you will not want to putter with long letters if they

are sensible so I'll just wind up, or cut short this yarn.

Your sister,

D ... Whitlock

Sunday June 21st

Oh Friend, how I do wish you could know just how much good your

last letter has done us. , Hopes bright star was about--------setting, and we were yielding to dark despair. I am so very grateful

that it is my privilege to write you this day. I was trying to be prepared

for the worst, believing you was of Earth no more.

Only think, you wrote to A.S. the 7 of May. We had not heard

one word from thee since that time till yesterday and a the joy it brought

to your devoted Mother's heart and smiles to her face. She has been so

very anxious to hear from her boy, that she has been after the mail the past

two weeks. She says if there had not been any letter from you yesterday,

she would have gone to bd sick. Heaven grant you may be spared so long as

she lives. We thought if you were living you would surely send a paper or

get someone to write for you, if not able to write yourself. If dead, we

thought it strange that someone did not let us know of it. You well know

how very quiet it is here and how little to interest or amuse, so our

thoughts are ever wandering after the dearly loved absent one. It must be

you will once more come back to us. Captain Zeke says when you come home,

he is going back with you. wrote me that he had written to

you 2 months ago, but had not heard from you. Cousin Sid is still at

Muskegon, Mich. He is a little home sick and don't know what to do. La Bue

Thompson is married to his second wife, a Miss Hattie Beach. I received his

card yesterday. I sent you a paper May 7th. Nothing new since then. Every­

thing has kept on in the same dog trot fashion, as it has for 5 years past.

Dear Friend, if it is not convenient for you to write often, please do send

a paper for Mother's sake, if not mine. I was looking over some old papers

last night, found this bit of poetry, was pleased with it, will send it to thee,

hoping after you have read it, you can truthfully exclaim "Them's my

sentiments." Jerome and Olise are housekeeping at Bockfad, Ill. I

shall expect to hear from thee soon. You don't know how happy I am

since I got your last letter.

Your own,

D.F.G. W.

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Home July 25th /67

My Brother,

Long time it is since I last held this old goose quill between

my fingers. Your last letters to Mother & myself, whispers me closely I

have a duty to perform. When I last wrote you we were deep in the slough

of despond, & prospect good of our sinking out of sight. Fearful as I

knew myself to be I thought I'd rather lay down & die, then live so any

longer. We had three girls on trial, & a sore trial it was. Dear Mother's

nerves was completely unstrung, & all looked dark. On the 19th of May

Brother Abel started for Victory Mills for our good friend, Libbie Beagle.

She was nicely situated there, & doing well in money matters, but left all & came

to us. They came home the 20th, the 23rd I took my bed & kept it five weeks.

I then commenced sitting up some. The two weeks past have been up & dressed.

You know I was born a woman, so of course my complaint was a womanish one.

Doctor Crocker from the Village said I would never get up again. Dr.

Chambers thought otherwise. The old Doctor looks hale & hearty, wears a

grey moustache, likes to tell stories, & has the same jolly laugh as of old.

Libbie is with us for the summer, what the next move will be the Good Father

only knows. One thing sure our Mother ought never again to have the case of

affairs here, for a day. As for myself I am a useless tool; If I could

only know & feel myself worthy of the bright hereafter, rd sooner go than stay.

Dear Mother is the one strong cord that binds me to Earth. In April, some

of our old acquaintances died. Stephen Brann (the Miller), Mr. Kellog (shoe­

maker) at the Village, Mr. Beddish. lsa's father-in-law, and Harrison Allen.

Our old neighbor Hiram Foster died in Chicago at Fran Ingrahams, May 19th.

Aunt Rhoda Morehouse is very miserable this summer. Abel & Captain Zeke get

along nicely on the farm, but work very hard as it is next thing to impossible

to gethelp. All is quiet & lonely in the neighborhood. Uncle Robert was

up in the early part of the month & spent two nights, he is the same

flighty, flashy man as he was in the long ago, but I had a right good visit

with him. Ham sent me a basket of nice fruit. Ham is in an insurance office

in New York. The 3 locusts in south east corner of yard are alive,

are tall trees, not very large tops, as they have been so cramped & shaded

by the Maples. The bark is very loose on the trunks & they probably have

seen their best days. There is a very pretty medium sized locust near the

garden gate. The maple by the is handsome. The old orchard

looks barren, only about 18 old trees standing. Young trees have been set

out in place of the old ones, in two & three years past. Our garden has a

lonesome look, all the cherry & plum trees gone & ma~y of the currant bushes

are missing. This year it looks as if the be of wrath has been swept

over it. Our Poppy was never much of a gardener & last spring I think he

did his worst, but you must know he worked hard, & thought to have such a

fine garden. The upper garden is kept for our pet crippled sheep Nelly & a

boy lamb, so she need not be lonely. I am a little fearful that my nephew

is a~dis ment on his sire & grandsire. Pity if such is the

case. Hope my baby niece will prove herself worthy of her illustrous Aunt.

I can hardly make it seem a reality that you are husband & father. Kate ought

to make you pay a sound sum for not being home when baby was born. We have

but one house pet, & that is Kimo cat. Pretty well reduced for us. The family

is tolerable health, hope when this reaches you it finds all well. Kate in par­

ticular, as she seems to be the mainstay of your domestic concern. r'll hold

up now & let you take a long breath. Our Heavenly Father have you &"your

loved ones in his holy keeping & guide you all safely into your bright haven

rest, is the earnest prayer of your sister.

D ••. Whitlock

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November 3 /67

My Brother,

So long have I kept you in the dark as regards the old home &

all matters pertaining to it. Rest assured of one thing, my goose

quill has not been employed in the service of others. Since I last wrote

much has happened to tell you, if I can only get at it, so you can under­

stand it. Uncle Vick Davis died last of August. Dear Aunt Rhoda Morehouse

died 10th Sept. Uncle Billie, his youngest daughter Franke, her husband &

year old baby start for Iowa in two weeks, will probably make it their

home there. Bansorn Morehouse is urgent for them to come. Peleg Burdick,

Uncle Billie's other son~in-law, has bought the Fosterhill house & the Mead place.

The two months past we have had a sort of an old fashioned time having company.

Dear Libbie has had a busy time keeping them in vituals, & darling Mother &

I are some jaded out with much visiting. Aside from neighborhood company, we

have had Lizzise Mead, Mrs. Cadman & three childre, Hat Hanford, Mrs. Lockewood,

Cousin Hat Bain, & her daughter Franke, they were here two weeks. Hat is a

genteel looking woman, the same smile & amiable body as of old, Franke is a tall

cashing looking girl & pleasant. We had a good time with them. Lizzie Mead

looks ever so natural, her children both some like her, are just about medium

for looks & intellect. Lizzie thinks the world of her babes. Hat Hanford is

a little thinner in the face, otherwise is the same merry piece as you knew

her in the long ago. Our dear father, mother & brother & Libbie are so so

in health & spirits. I have been bleeding more these 3 weeks past. Isac

Coloney is with job.

Kimo Cat, our sole pet, is thriving finely. Either you or Kate

write at once on reception of this. Let your hurry be what it may, stop all

to write how you are, & all about the little folks. I want much to hear, so

long since I wrote you. I have nearly forgotten how.

& the sky has a wintery look. All dull in the town.

It is nearly dark,

Aunt Liphy Hanford is

to spend the winter with Aunt Chloe. Thomas Whitlock spent the summer home

after an absence of ten years, was married to a Miss Gilchrist of Charlton

a few days since and started back for California. I really don't know as I

have told all the little items of news. If not will think of them & send

them in the next . Your names are often kindly mentioned under

this old roof. Our warm love, & kindest wishes are ever Yours,

D.F.G. Whitlock

P.S.Caroline Odell & her daughter, Martha was here for a day only in August.

Also Aunt Abby Bo & Cousin Helen, Ira's wife.

Y01lr F.,..;.,..,.10

January 12th 1868

Auld Fatty,

Two weeks today according to your own statement you had a good

dinner, & wrote me a good letter. It is too bad to have Kate's patience

tried with that great lout of a Silas. I've seen enough of such critters

& their performances to know it is next thing to driving an ox team when in a

great hurry. One wants to swear. I really wish all Earth's children well

but think it as well not to mix a family up with uncongenials if it can be

well helped. Glad you have the carpet done & down. Brockett Husted died

last Friday at Fondas Bush. Leaves a wife & five daughters. I think he

owned a~place in Fondasbush. Our Kimo cat is, was, 3 yrs. old 26th last

March, is Grandson of myoId one-eyed Tabby, he is the last of that tribe of

cats. The hog killing is done with as for the season. The beef still

breathes. Saratoga Co. went between 4 & 5 hundred black last fall, a great

gain over last year. It then gave nineteen hundred black. The holiday

came as usual, but so dull a time as we had. I know there is so much to

be thankful for, so I dare not complain. The family in usual health. I am

in too much of a fidgit today to give you the "pen sketch" you of

the "Old folks at home". It does seem to me I confess leave the old home,

for one where there was more life, this continual sameness & dullness is

enough to deaden the hopes & energy of a good person, be the same black or

white, as for myself I only wish I was fully prepared for the bright hereafter,

I so often wish myself safely landed there. God grant us all patience. This

is no letter at all & do not send it as such. Will try to get warmed up so

as to write more at length soon. If I was my own mistress & had a well filled

purse, I rather think I'd make use of that chamber that Kate is fixing up for

me, sometime next summer. God love you all,

Your sister,D ... Whitlock

Sunday Dec. Ist/67

My Big Brother,

Why is it you do not drop a line to us "Old folks at home"? Dear

Mother & I are on the "anxious seat" on your & yours' account. Some 3 or

4 weeks ago I wrote you, in answer to a letter you had written me some 4

or 5 weeks before, so you see by adding weeks to weeks, it makes it a long

time since we heard from Friend, his bonny Kate, & the babes. Hope there is

some good, but not painful excuse for your long silence. In my last I gave

you all the news then current with us, since then but little has occurred

worth the writing. Ezra Wilson staid with us one night, & a right good

time we had with him. His daughter Franke & her husband live with him since

the death of Mrs. Wilson two years ago. Uncle Robert writes our Mother that

on the first of October he moved into a better house than he ever lived in

before, on Columbia Street, near the Capitol & state buildings. Uncle Billie

Morehouse left Galway Nov. 21st. All is dull, very dull in the old neighbor­

hood. Our good friend Libbie is with us yet. Also, "Captain Zeke". If they

were to leave us on the sudden, I rather think it would be dark times with

us. On Thanksgiving day we had a plain but good diner, baked chickens, and

taters, boiled onions, etc. Father attended Church, too unpleasant for Mother

to go out. The crops are all secured, not any fall plowing done as yet. One

cow & 8 hogs . Be sure to let us hear from you on receipt of this, for

dear Mother's sake particularly. Mother & I so often wish our home near you,

or you near us. We seem to be so alone in the old town. Mother wants me to

say something about the babies - but as I know just nothing about the little

darlings,

how am I to say anything?As you are a lawyer by trade I will em~

ploy you to answer my question, also to gratify Mother's curiosity or anxiety.Our love is thine .Sister, D .

.. Whitlock

Home, Sunday Night,l'1arch22/68

Old Fatty:

So you keep on living, du you? I've given you so many powerful

scoldings for not letting your old Marm hear from you often and you have

as often neglected to obey, that I now just play mad when you keep long

silence & say who cares a cuss, "Let him rip." Mommy said Friend would

surely write her on his birthday if living & glad she was when the mission

came. I spose you know I am the person that can best read your writing

in our family & I get stuck on some words, turn & twist them as I will

they ever remain a mystery to me, but that is none of your ______ my

dear sir, better that I should get stuck in the words than they in me where

they would be of no use. I wrote the above cause why I

didn't know what else to say, perhaps it will serve to make you snicker &

that is all I ask of it. I've hardly had myoId goose quill in my hand this

winter past & that will explain why you have not oftener heard from your

sister. Not a day but I've thought of thee and 0 how r've longed to have

you under the old home roof & help me scare up something new to talk or laugh

about. I want to be jolly & make myself interesting & to help keep the rest

of the family from drooping, but I find it a nipper to do so at all times

when one of my temperament needs some stimulant to work on. The general

health of the family pretty good. Poppy's pozen toes trouble him so much

in winter, as does Abels too. At present A.S. is a little billious, the

result of too little physic & too much beef. Mommy is pretty middling, so

long as there is nothing to fret or worry the head piece or too much work

for the body she'll keep up & be smarter & look younger than any of us.

Libbie B. came to us FEb. 19th, will stay a while longer & then go back to

Saratoga where she has a sewing machine & stiches for a living. Our folks

have not any help engaged as yet for the coming season, either indoors or

out. The man Mike who worked for us the two years past left us a few weeks

since. The tenant house stands empty. It is ever so quiet the old neigh­

borhood & some lonely. Maria Allen was here last week, spoke kindly of

Friend & the good old times you use to have at her house. Marie & her

eldest son manage the farm while Merrit is in Rebeldom. Poor Merritt he is

dreadful homesick, wants A.S. & Ira Brockett to intercede with Seymour

to get his release. Isaac & Mayor Cloney have both deserted the Army so we

hear. Their brother, Charlie, died in a hospital last August. They have all

lived with us & we feel interested in them. Cousin Hitie is still at Fairfax

Station. Says "when he gets out of this scrape he shall be mighty glad to

keep out." His time will be out in June. Our cousin, Robert was married

to Nancy Cole Jan. 2. Nancy has lived w. Ira Whitlocks for 4 or 5 years

past, was youngest gal of Jerry Cole deceased.

Robert & his Nancy will work for Ira & Helen as they did last year.

Uncle Robert was here in the winter, has not been to Galway in 4 years. Who

cares? As for politics, I have nothing to say cuz why my dish is empty on

that subject. Mommy says "Tell her Friendly boy she has many good visits

with him in imagination & does so hope to see you face to face once again

in this weary world. God grant his prayer may be answered & that speedily.

Our sister Lib says if the times are not too hard & her purse does not get

empty she will send you her photograph next summer. We have the same 2 working

horses & 3 colts. The bull, 4 cows, sold the oxen a few weeks since, but had to

buy hay as they do every spring. Sheep I don't know many, sold some last fall.

Hens & cocks a whole . Door yard fence & house look

some rusty. Have enough to eat & drink & rags sufficient to cover the body

for which the good Lord be praised. As for neighborhood news I know but little, as

I know so few of the people & I'm sure you wouldn't be interested in that

little. Come home & see & hear for yourself. You can't save the country by

staying there. Our folks are all in bed and I am going. Answer this suddenly

& make glad the heart of your Maiden Sister.

D.F.G. Whitlock

-2-

Home April 6th 1869

Auld Fatty,

Your letters to Father, Mother, & brother were duly received,

duly read & duly laid aside. And I now duly take my pen in hand to

duly inform you of the fact , now I wanr you I am in no writing mood

so prepare for a piece of botch work. Our good friend Libbie Geagh left

us the 27th of March, has gone to Victory Mills for the summer. Now

about the trees, the two balsams in the back yard are not so large as

might be expected, the one by the smoke house had its top broken off with

ice some 5 or 6 years ago, the maple between the balsams was a beauty,

but father chopped off so many branches to save a TalIsman sweet apple

tree that he must set out when the snowball bush stood & then of course

the maple shaded it. The old apple tree by the corn house is olive, but not

much left of it. The balsam west of woodshed is dead, it was so shaded by

the maple. The smaller ones all dead. Those standing between sitting room

windows & eastroom windows & southeast corner of the house are nice tall

trees, had beautiful tops, but last fall father's yit(?) for trimming came

on, so to work he went & took off every branch way up above the eaves of the

house so there is only a little green swab left on top of each pole. Two

years this summer our Dad had the trimming fever on big, he commenced at the

corn house & went the round of the maples. Great limbs of 20 or 30 years

growth came tumbling down & the roadside was piled up with them the rest of

the summer, the shape of the trees is not so pretty since they needed trimming

but not such an unmerciful Captain Zeke is engaged for the

farm for the summer. The prospect for indoor help is dark at present. I

get so tired of so much change in help, wish I could do it all myself, or

else let the farm. Our folks have to work like fun to make both ends meet.

The house & fences need repairing but I hardly think they will fetch it this

year. As they have not the help needed indoors or out. I feel really

well, only my nose keeps me feeling down in the mouth. lam all the time

trying something, but it will bleed. It is nearly 3 years since it was so

bad. I thought I told you that I was so well pleased with the arrangement of

your house. It made an other sight in me(?). I have the outline by me now.

Dear Mother says "she was so glad to have you write all the particulars

concerning the Junior, she thinks he is rightly named. Is a "chip of the old

block". If she had him with her would think she had her Friend boy with

her again as in the long ago." A. thinks If he can stave off 'o1earing

glasses for 3years yet he will be doing well. You are both to be pittied

for your undesirable family. Faith now! It would stagger you some to see me.

Growing homely every day & then those tarned spectacles on my nose pretty much

constantly. As for neighborhood news I have not a word to write, only it is

so quiet and lonely all about town. We had long winter weather all thorugh

March but going now as one could wish. The snow bank west of our house is a

huge one. The men have been at work today trying to get a walk through it

for the first time this winter or rather this spring. Now of a truth I am

ashamed of the scrawl, but no knowing when any of the family will write you,

& my tender conscience will not allow you to be longer neglected. You well

know my hobby is to write home news, but when it comes to hair splitting

arguments, & right smart talk, why all there is about it, I can't come in. I am

sorry to say that the ambition I once had has left me entirely. I do wish

I could get waked up again. We have a few apples left, & some cider. Our

potatoes are poor for us. Earnestly hoping to be in better mood when I

next write you. I will just do myself the honor to subscribe myself the

sister of yourself & wife Kate & Aunt to your son Junior.

D ••. Whitlock

P.S. This little greenback is for the boy from his Grandmother Mathilda

Whitlock. Mother says "Write at once, that she may know if you get this all

straight & safe & [check mark] & [check mark] & [check mark].D.W.

Old Home Dec. 15th /69

My Brother:

Our last letters were written about the same time. Was right

glad to get yours, and to know you are as well off as you are. Hope the

babe is all well now. Dorliska is a long name for little folks. What

shall we call her for short? I like Doria tolerable well, but if you &

Kate have hit on something better, then let us have it in your next letter.

Killed 4 pigs the week past for home use. The family are all touched with

colds. Dear Poppy is taking:palomet today, feels owly. Our Mother won't

complain if ever so miserable, she often speaks of your boy, would like so

well to see him, & you all. Have you ever had his photo taken? Wish Junior

could applies out of his Grandfather's cellar, & butternuts(?) out of the

garret. Two burials at the Village last week. Milton Bowers & Mrs. Green,

mother of William & Wilson Green. Ly Kenyon was here Friday after an

absence of 8 years. Was in the rebel army 3 years, is married to his second

wife, his home is Macon, Georgia, he left the photographs of his father &

mother with me. They are taken from old Ambrotypes. I think so much of

having them. King displayed a considerable jewelry. You know that was the

trait of his parents. We have had some cold weather the week past. It would

please you to see our good father & mother take the big Kimo cat to bed with

them, not every night, but nearly, he has to ~ out so they get up & let

him out and in again. I tell Mother Kimo might just as well use the ~,

but she says he shall have it his own way, & he knows he is boss. The same

old story. All quiet in the old neighborhood. I hardly know why I scratched

these lines. Perhaps you can tell. I feel kind of like flying to pieces,

I spect some call it nervous or fidgity, I do so hope the Holidays will pass

pleasantly with your little family. It will be dull enough her as usual.

As Ever I am your Only Maiden Sister,D ... Whitlock

Home Dec. 22

My Brother,

If you was only here I'd blow you higher than a kite. Now if

you do such a thing as take a paper, couldn't you send one home as often

as once a fortnight? The Good Lord only knows how many times I've had

you dead & buried, & so far from us too. When I get a letter from thee,

after I've got you safely landed in Heaven, it makes me glad & mad all

in a heap, glad that you still live, & mad that you won't say or do some­

thing, to let us know what you are up to oftener than you do. I've had

some red calico for a gown ever so long but wouldn't have it made till

I knew for certain whether Friend was dead or sick. If you die first

dear one I shall drape my body in the blackest kind of cloth & it would

be a heavy heart I would carry. God grant we meet again ere long, &

you & I have such long talks as we used to have. Our dear Pa & Ma about

so, so. Father had a good appetitite, sleep well, & works a good deal, his toes

pain him every winter & he has the rheumatism in his shoulders & arms, but I

rub him down often so he don't complain much. He thinks as much of his hogs

as Grandfather Whitlock used to. He keeps the female swine pigging & making

pigs most of the time & finds very good sale for them. Mother is as pretty

as ever, health tolerable. We do not keep a gal in the house but Bridget

from the tenant house is good help & is with us nearly every day & her babe

John. A.S. is a good looking man & comfortable. As for myself, there is

8 or 10 gray hairs to be seen on my temples. I ha-e to be mighty careful

what I bite, fearful of breaking any front teeth. It is but little sewing

or reading I can do without putting on myoId steel bowed glasses & yet those

who have known me long years tell me how youthful I look & strangers take

me to be about 18 or 20 years of age. I squint! I miss dear old B _

very much. Morgan & Guston(?) are great babies & treated as such.

We had two weeks good in Nov., that has gone & now it is like fall

weather. Our folks have been blasting a big stone, in the stone quarry lot

next the woods, have drawn a lot of stone in front of the house & broke it

up making a sort of a McAdams' of it. They have also drawed stone

for a whole wall from the barn down to the hill, & for a wall on the North

side of lot north of orchard next to road. The old orchard looks lonely,

they have cut down about 15 dead or nearly dead trees this fall, & have got

them all in the back yard, or wood house. Robert & have sold their

place to Azariah Mother son of Joseph Mosher. Azariah intended living in

Albany, & he will probably take possession of her & the farm next April.

I think will go to Vermont & work in some factory. I don't know

what Robert will do. As to the rest of the Whitlock relations, we seldom

see or hear from them. Dominic Lane told father he wished to be kindly re­

membered to you. Aunt Chloe Mights was married the 3 time the 27th of Nov.

to a Mr. Grippis, his first wife was a Reed. She died a year ago, he has

two boys, & is 7 years younger than Aunt Chloe. Mother says you must not go

in the woods another cold day, even if you have to lie in bed to keep warm.

Why don't you have someone keep house for you. I can't think you are com­

fortable as you are. Lark staid with us 8 weeks, her grand child was sick

& she had to go home. We expect Lib home in a few weeks. Jared P. Brocketts'

two sons have enlisted in the army, or war. Dear Mother sends you a few

stamps. Do let us hear from you in some shape often. I beg, Your Sister,

D.F.C. Whitlock

Maple Bower Apr. 25

Well Friendly Boy, your old Mam says as how I must say something to you,

dear, what am I to say first? Here she goes. They had a

up to Grandfather Whitlock's old place last Wednesday. There was a lot of

old duds that was not sold. So they divided it among the 5 children of

the first flock. Dan goes after his portion on the morrow. It consists

of some old jugs & tin milk pail. Some plates, the German silver spoons,

one table cloth, one pair of pillow cases & Uncle Robert's ditto. Father

had Grandfather's old chest, over coat & hat given to him outright, for a

momento. Father & W. H. Spencer were the administrators. Mother has been

trying to scold me for writing these particulars to you. She says I am

making fun of it, but she laughed so she could not scold worth a darn. In

my next I'll tell you more particularly about the property. Grandmother will

make it her home with her son in Greenfield. Uncle Simon keeps about so so.

Aunt Jenny is gaining slowly, Libbie B. is to Uncle Hirams, she says she sends

you all the love she has. Mrs. Lackin is with us still. She is good company

and a great help as our girl has not returned from home from her visit. Mother

wants to know if you live in your own house. We saw in one of your 'Jestern

papers the account of your barn being burned, write and tell us all about

yourself. How many more letters do you want me to write, before you can make

up your mind to write to me. Your own dear little amiable sister. A.S. has

commenced work on the farm, has a good Irish man to work for him. It is quiet

as usual in Galway. Nothing new at home. Mother has read this ese and says

I can send it. Once more I say unto thee, write, and that mighty soon.

Your Sister,

D.F.C. Whitlock

April 16th

My Brother,

I presume you have received and read my last letter, written

the 26 of March. Yours of the 28 ____ is before me, and I want to

answer it, the only trouble is, I don't know what to say, as for new I have

none. It would be a sorry task for me to undertake to describe how the

neighbors look for they are nearly all strangers to me. The friends of

"Auld Lang Syne" who use to meet so oft beneath our father's roof and with

us partake "a cup of kindness" are with us no more forever. You well know

how it has been. The Beaper(?) Death has laid many low, and others have

sought & found new homes far from old Galway. It hardly seems like the

home of my childhood. Such a dull monotony, so it seems to me. Did I tell

you that Eli Seabury had sold his farm to one of Alva Grinnell's sons, Eli has

not decided where he will go as yet. Uncle Hiram often speaks of selling his

place. There has been something said about Uncle Ben Davis, buying it. I

rather think there is not any danger of Uncle leaving yet awhile. Cous'

Hiram is home, and as happy a fellow as you ever saw. Uncle Hanford has

moved up to Stimpson Corners. Martin's widow has gone to her father's with

her two little girls. Thomas Allen has moved in where Martin did live. Friend,

if my letters fail to interest you for want of gossip or anything rare or spicey

blame me not, for rest assured your sister tells thee all she knows. Well now lend

your ears Mr. Legislator. Mother has got something to say. She says that one

rooster to ten here is enough and thinks you will have plenty of eggs if you

adopt that plan. So we will call that bill passed, and kick it under the table.

The friends in Broadallin were all well when I last heard from them. It is

nearly two years since I was up there. Ohn & Jerome were to start for Illinois

this month. Our Uncle George Shanklin has sold his place and would have been

on his way to Indiana ere this, had it not been for sickness in his family.

Grace Whitlock is at Syracuse, has been there all winter trying to get her

business matters settled, but Robert keeps delaying & I am told, he acts

about as mean as he knows how. Our friends in Albany, _________ and Eagle Harbor

I have not heard from in a long time. Our girl, Mary, is back again and Isaac

will live with us this summer, what they intend doing on the farm this season

Massa alone knows. I don't. You know how anger has our folks, thought

it best to be independent, and let the Merchants of Galway wiggle. We have

got on hand(in the cheese room I mean) 125 pounds of maple sugar and 5 gallons of

'lasses. Expect to have more if the sap will run. You ask if Mother and I

are going west this season. I have not heard anything about it and one thing

am certain I don't want to go. If our good Pa & }~ wish to go I'll do all I can

to help them on the way. Uncle Paschal Wheeler died of rheumatism on the heart,

the same disease you suffer so much with the past winter. A.S. has had a con­

siderable business to attend to of late in his official capacity as the

Uncle Ichabod Seabury just went by on horseback. He looks just as he did the

first time I ever saw him. As near as I can remember. Dear Mother has a great

deal & much more to say about her Friend Boy. I sometimes ~ jealous & tell

her she runs all to Friend, but you know Friend, it never troubles me how much

she talks about her boys, or how well she loves them. Father's health tolerable,

his toes trouble him the most. As for fun we have but little, and that little

is of a sickly line. You bid me to be cheerful, and do good. I would to Heaven

I was all you wish me to be, but alackaday! Such am not the case. I hope you

will submit to it with as good a as I do. We do love thee. Why don't

you come home~

Thine own,

D.F.C. Whitlock

P.S. I had een a most forgot to tell you, that the ice house was chuck

full of ice and don't you think! The tarned stuff is all froze up as

hard as a rock. I spose they will have to melt afore they can use it,

too bad!!

Frizzle

P.S. I guess Jared P. Brockett and family are all well, hardly see them

once a year. I think Merritt ATIen must be a spine of human evergreen. His

was a green youth, a green manhood, and I'm thinking it will be a green old

age. He, and his wife Maria and Uncle Obadick work like blazes, bent on being

rich. Have I said too much?